INDIA STRATEGIC STUDY

Friday, 9 June 2017

ARMY STATIC SWITCHED COMMUNICATION NETWORK (ASCON)

ARMY
STATIC SWITCHED COMMUNICATION NETWORK (ASCON)

Introduction

The
concept of modern day warfare envisages rapid concentration of mobile
mechanised forces at a point of decision to deliver a crippling blow to the
enemy using accurate lethal weapons available in the arsenal. This requires an extremely responsive and
survivable communication system which should support a smooth information flow
from tactical battle area to the decision nerve centres which are much behind
the theatre of operation. In an
intricately woven fabric of a field force, the Corps of Signals provides the
Central Nervous System, the slightest malfunction of which can paralyse the
best of military operations.

In
their ceaseless endeavour to learn from, and better the past performances, the Corps
of Signals has introduced from time to time, state-of-the-art systems. Introduction of Army Static Switched
Communication Network (ASCON) revolutionised communications bringing about
qualitative and quantitative changes.
This highly sophisticated communication network is the consequence of
the pioneering and visionary skills of the Corps of Signals and dedicated and
perfected engineering expertise of the engineers of ITI Ltd. State-of-the-art digital technology is
employed in the system which would support the Army along the nation’s most
vulnerable borders. Matchless in
performance, the network provides all telematics facilities, namely Voice,
Data, Telex and Video. Many value added
services had been provided in an integrated manner at the important operational
headquarters. Despite the magnitude of
task and the constraint of time for its completion, no essential details were overlooked.
The network was implemented and made operational in a record time with
impeccable finesse; and that too indigenously, before multinational technology
came into India.

ASCON
was initially essentially a wide network of microwave radio stations located along
the length and breadth of the country. Fibre optics and satellites have also
been used for bulk information transfer.
These stations called Nodes house digital radio equipments; the Voice
Switch to switch speech calls and the Data Switch for telex and data
calls. The power to these nodes is
either provided from commercial mains or generators. However, solar panels have also been used to
conserve on energy resources of the country as well as to cater for the nodes
located in remote areas where commercial mains are not available. The node complex also houses the latest
state-of-the-art Network Management System supported by highly sophisticated
fault tolerant computers which helps to monitor the pulse of the network in
real time. The network has the requisite
flexibility to absorb new technologies and provide ISDN type of services to
meet Army’s communication requirements of 21st century.

ASCON
caters for integration with tactical area network AREN, Combat Net Radio, DOT
and other networks. In addition to
provision of Voice, Telex and Data facilities, it made possible to connect
calls from remotest corner of the country to anywhere in the network almost
instantaneously providing much needed emotional support to separated families.

To
cater for the specific requirements of the Army in which the system has to
survive in extreme hostile conditions, the concept of Mobile Nodes was
introduced. These mobile nodes can
replace the existing static nodes which get damaged due to enemy action. These can also be used as repeaters for
extending ranges or to create an additional direction of connectivity to cover
the remotest areas. These can be set up
in a short time thereby providing total flexibility.

The
origin of ASCON lies in the foresight of former accomplished Signal
Officers-in-Chiefs and illustrious officers of the Corps of Signals who
conceived and gave directions to this futuristic network. Credit goes to all
rank and file who have been instrumental in conceptualising, planning and
successful execution and fielding of the project. The Corps of Signals and M/s ITI Ltd, who
provided the turnkey epicenter, merit compliments for their superlative
efforts, the rewarding relationship was based on complete understanding,
confidence and team work.

The
project was monitored by and executed under the directions of a high level
Steering Committee appointed by the CCPA and headed by the Defence Secretary. Steering and managing a project of this
magnitude and complexity, and its ultimate realisation was a stupendous
task. Decisions had to be made at times,
with inadequate inputs and calculated risks taken to ensure that the project
and the related activities were completed in time and without any cost
escalation. The journey from the
inception to the successful execution of the project punctuated with moments of
success, jubilation, disappointments and apprehensions, had been
characteristics of strong resolve and an unshakable determination to
succeed. It is a classic example of what
collective efforts of the Government, Industry and the Army can produce when
confronted with a challenge and ably led by people of vision who can take
risks, make quick decisions while inspiring and effectively motivating the
team.

The
conventional communication system that was in existence till mid eighties
suffered from numerous drawbacks.
Especially in border areas, the problem for the Army assumed manifold
proportions because of the large frontier and ruggedness of the terrain. The old system of communication was based on
BOPEL (Border Permanent Lines) and Department of Telecommunication (DOT)
communication network, which were not very extensive in coverage. The salient drawbacks of these system were as
follows :-

(b) Poor
reliability of communication especially due to weather or enemy action.

(c) Poor
time response of DOT communication.

Due
to these drawbacks, the Army proposed a static communication network along the
Western border. This was to be totally
operated by Army personnel and was known by its acronym ASCON (Army Static
Switched Communication Network). The
project was a network based on communication nodes linked together by microwave
radio.

Ministry of Defence had agreed to process the
case for establishment of only the forward line of nodes in the Western Sector. The proposal was put up to Cabinet Committee
on Political Affairs(CCPA) by the Ministry of Defence for approval of the
project. A case for procurement of six
troposcatter terminals of static version was progressed for Government Sanction
for establishing three links in Southern Command.

Concept and Architecture of
ASCON

ASCON
was conceived as a strategic and theatre area communication network with a view
to ultimately form a sub-continental communication network for the Army. Accordingly, Project ASCON was planned to be
implemented in phases. For
implementation of ASCON Phase I and II, approval of the CCPA was accorded in
October 1986.

ASCON
Phase I covers the Western borders from Rajouri in the North to Barmer in the
South and ASCON Phase II had provided the rearward integration of Phase I
network with Headquarters Western Command at Chandimandir and Army Headquarters
at Delhi. ASCON Phase I and II were
implemented fully and are under extensive use by the Army. One is quite aware of its network layout
connectivity and diagrammatic representations are well known. Due to security constraints these need not be
covered..

Because
of financial constraints, ASCON was initially restricted to our Northern and
Western borders only. However, approval
in principle was accorded for the growth of ASCON Phases I and II networks to
include more stations for ensuring network survivability and redundancy as also
up conversion of repeaters to nodes to obtain greater flexibility.

Though
static, ASCON is capable of meeting unforeseen requirements. It is linked to the main decision making
centres in the hinterland using different medias including Optical Fibre Cable
linkages. For several of the remote
network stations extensive use of non-conventional sources of energy has been
made. The operations in selected areas
are also made possible through satellite.
A high degree of security and Network Management System facilities, are
the added features. It catered for total integration with the tactical mobile
Army Radio Engineer Network (AREN) Communication System.

A
force multiplier, the accomplishment of ASCON was subsequently planned to be
enhanced, as it was poised for further nationwide expansion in the 8th
and 9th plan periods. The
foundation for a technologically secure India was made possible with the
reliable, responsive, effective, flexible and digital backbone system.

ASCON was based on 120 channels highway and
with automatic switching. The network
would provide voice, data and telegraph facilities on subscriber trunk dialing
basis. The network was equipped to support the needs for rearward communication
media of Command, Control, Communication & Intelligence (C3I) based
systems. ASCON was to greatly improve
operational readiness, give greater flexibility of deployment and redeployment
and afford larger dispersion capability than hither-to-fore.

CCPA

Approval of the
Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) was obtained in April 1985 for
establishing ASCON System at an approximate cost of RS 32.92 crores. This was
enhanced to Rs 112.92 cr in Oct 1986 for the following network :-

Phase 1 - Rs
99.99 cr

Phase 2 - Rs 11.93 Cr

ASCON Mobile -
Rs 1.00 Cr

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Total - Rs 112.92 Cr

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Establishment
of ASCON

Govt
of India, Min of Defence vide their letter No 16 (1)/83/DS (System) dated 18
Jul 85 sanctioned the establishment of the ASCON and also constituted the
Steering Committee under the Chairmanship of the Defence Secretary. Powers of
the Steering Committee for ASCON have also been given in the above Govt
letter. The ibid letter is reproduce
below.

I am directed to convey the sanction of the Government of India for
establishing the ASCON and I am further directed to convey the sanction of the
President to the formation of a Steering Committee under the Defence
Secretary for the expeditious implementation of the project ASCON.

2. I am further directed to convey the
sanction of the President to the composition of the Steering Committee (ASCON)
will be as shown in Appendix A attached and the powers of the Steering
Committee as given in Appendix B attached.

3. This issues with the concurrence of the
Ministry of Defence (Finance), Government of India vide their UO No 24516 dated
12 July 1985

1. Approve the qualitative requirements of
ASCON and any subsequent modifications thereto, to meet the Army’s requirements
of communications in the border areas under ASCON.

2. To approve any changes in the scales of
equipment and topology of ASCON to fulfill to the aims and objectives of
ASCON. The scales of equipment is
subject to periodic review.

3. Approve placement of letter of intents
without calling for tenders, but after obtaining proper quotations for the
procurement of the approved indigenous hardware forming part of the ASCON after
evaluation by Government which is manufactured by only one manufacturer if it
happens to be a Public Sector Undertaking.

4. Recommend to the Government for the
approval of tenders from the likely contenders for the establishment of ASCON
on a turnkey basis to include supply of hardware other than proprietary,
execution of civil works, survey, design, installation engineering and so on.

5. Recommend development of hardware not
readily available through public or private research and development of
agencies and suggest budgetary requirement for such purposes to keep up with
the prevailing state of the art, upto the value of Rs 75 lakhs subject to
periodic review.

6. Monitor all activities connected with
the development of any new hardware and approve the induction of the duly
evaluated new hardware for ASCON. The
evaluation methodology will be as approved by the Steering Committee.

7. Approve the production and procurement
of the newly developed hardware in requisite quantity and within the stipulated
time for the fielding of ASCON and its subsequent upgradation to most
operational requirements of the Army.

8. Approve the contract or modifications
thereto between the Government of India and the Turnkey contractor for the
establishment of ASCON.

9. Monitor all contracted and other
associated activities to ensure time bound execution of the Project ASCON and
issue directions to initiate administrative or financial or legal actions or
any combination of such actions with a view to ensure speedy and technically as well as tactically sound
implementation of the Project ASCON.

10. Approve procurement of samples of
technical equipment, devices and literature from indigenous/ foreign sources
for investigational and development all purposes subject to the release of
foreign exchange from the current allocation to the Defence Services, in view
of updating facilities desired upto the value of Rs 20 lakhs subject to review.

11. To approve requirements of Staff and
various other administrative expenditure considered necessary for the efficient
functioning of the ASCON Working Group of the project over its implementation
period, limited to 1% of the total cost of the project subject to periodical
review.

12. The powers are subject to usual rules of
Govt business.

Request
for Proposal (REP) & Contract for Phase I

RFP for ASCON Phase 1 was
issued under MoD letter No B/50803/MOD/AWG/DS (Plg) dated 20 Nov 85 given below
to M/s BEL and M/s ITI Ltd. Offer of M/s ITI Ltd was finally accepted and a
letter of intent under No B/50803/MOD/AWG/DS (Plg) dated 23 Oct 86 (Appx C) was
issued to M/S ITI Ltd. A ceiling contract on turnkey basis for Rs 98.38 Cr was
concluded on 14th Feb 1987-Another Order bearing No
B/50803/MOD/AWG/DS (Plg) dated 20 Sep 88 for supply of Express Order Wire (EOW)
and Omnibus Order Wire (OOW) Secrecy equipment was placed at a total cost of Rs
1.61 Cr. Thus the total cost of the contract worked out to Rs 99.99 Cr. The
contract value was enhanced to Rs 101.99Cr by MoD after contract Review in
terms of Art 12 of the contract.

The
RFP for ASCON Phase –I issued by MoD is reproduced below.

B/50803/mod/AWG/DS
(Plg)

Government
of India

Ministry
of Defence

New
Delhi, the 20 Nov 85

M/S Bharat Electronics
Limited, Ghaziabad

M/S Indian Telephone
Industries, Bangalore

Subject :- ESTABLISHMENT OF ARMY STATIC
SWITCHED

COMMUNICATION NETWORK (ASCON)

Sir,

The Government of India is intending to
establish Army Static Switched Communication Network (ASCON) in some parts of
India as the operational requirements given in Appendix.

2. In case you are interested in supplying
the entire system on turnkey basis, you may kindly send your offer in two parts
as under in 10 copies for each part, in separate covers. Copies for Part B should be in sealed cover. You offer should cover both the topology
layouts given in Annexure I and II of Appendix A. However, only one would be finally selected
for implementation.

3. Where ever available DG S&D
approved items on rate running contract should be used.

4. If and when import of technology is
required to be selected Director ASCON Working Group must be coopted in the
selection.

5. Para. This should include the following :-

(a) Compliance statement to each item of the
operational requirement as given in Appendix A by giving detailed quantitative
and qualitative information. Technical
literature giving reference should be added in support of your offer. This literature should bring out the
technology used in the equipment as well as the technical and physical
specifications. Replies in detail both
quantitative and qualitative to each point should conform to the format as
given in Appendix B.

(b) Whether the equipment offered by you are
being used or planned to be used by any other user in the country or outside
may be specified. Details of user
reports of usage/user trial reports as well as maintenance/repair evaluation
report may please be made available.

(c) Details of environmental specifications
to which the equipment has been successfully tested and results there of may
also be supplied.

(d) Recommended acceptance test procedure for
the complete network including all facets of equipment, civil works etc may
please be forwarded.

(e) Optimum schedule of completion of the
project and recommended mode of handing over the same to the users may please
be indicated.

(f) Your plan for training the users on
operation, software and complete maintenance may please be indicated.

(g) Recommended list of spares for two years
and your philosophy for ensuring regular supply of complete spares, support for
repair of modules/assemblies and diagnostics when required for the lifetime of
the equipment (which may not be the usual planned figure of 10 years but much
more) may be indicated.

(h) Recommended list of test equipment,
specialized test equipment and test jigs for each node and those which are not
required frequently and may be kept at zonal centres.

(j) Technical literature on specialized
test equipment and test jigs may also be supplied.

(k) Proposed
draft contract which amongst other points should include :-

(i)Clause
for penalty for default of not being able to execute the network within the
contracted time frame; and

(ii)Review
of the contract to cover for example number of repeater stations and associated
financial matters after actual ground survey has been carried out.

6. Part B. This should include the following :-

(a)Cost
of establishing ASCON may please be furnished.
Detailed breakdown into various items is necessary. Broad itemized details of civil works and
towers is also required.

(b)Terms
of payment.

(c) Cost
of maintenance spares for two years should be indicated. In addition to replacement of cards and major
components it should be possible to repair right down to the card/major
component level.

(d) Cost
of specialized test equipment and test jigs may please be indicated.

7. Your reply should reach the undersigned
latest by 07 January 1986. You may kindly confirm that your representative will be available
for technical and commercial discussions and for finalizing the terms of
contract. For the exact date of these
negotiations, further communications will follow on receipt of yo0ur offer.

Yours
faithfully,

Sd/-x-x-x-x

(Deputy
Secretary to the Government of India)

Topology – ASCON Phase I

ASCON Phase I covered
the Western Borders form Rajouri in the North to Barmer in the South. There were
64 stations consisting of 43 Nodes and 21 Repeaters. The Network is based on
Terrestrial linkages using Microwave Radios. The Network was divided into five
Zonal Centres with HQs at Nagrota, Jalandhar, Bhatinda, Suratgarh &
Jodhpur. In the Network, five types of voice switches related to the number of
directions as detailed below were used:-

The height of
Microwave Towers ranges from 20 meter to 100 meter. The maximum number of
towers were of the height of 100 meter. The towers were manufactured and
erected by M/S Triveni Structural Ltd and M/S TANSI under the supervision of
M/s ITI Ltd who was turnkey contractors. The station wise height of the towers
and weight of the towers in respect of all the 64 stations are as given below
:-

MoD had placed an order on
MES for supply of furniture amounting to Rs 41,61,570 vide No
B/50847/MOD/AWG/DS (Plg) dt 24 Apr 90. The supply was completed in due time.

Financial Issues – ASCON
Phase I

(a) Contractual value

ASCON Phase-I
contract was for a ceiling amount of Rs 99.99 Cr which was enhanced to Rs101.99
Cr. The meaning of “CEILING” was that the contractual value shall be limited to
a max amount of Rs 99.99 Cr even if the expenditure incurred exceeds that
amount. This condition was due to the fact that at the time of conclusion of
the contract, certain elements such as Buildings/Towers and the cost of the
auxiliary equipment such as DG sets, ACs, Batteries etc. were not firmed up
which were dependent on the sub contract to be concluded later on. The extra
amount of Rs 2 Cr (101.99- 99.99 Cr) was approved by MoD due to the work done
by M/s ITI Ltd beyond the scope of the contract. The breakup of the total cost
ot Phase I is as under-

(i)M/s ITI Manufactured Equipment - Rs
53.99 + 1.3

(ii)Civil Works - Rs
31.49 + 1.49

(iii)Survey, Path Engg, Installation & - Rs
5.78

Commissioning

(iv)Bought Out Equipment - Rs
14.39

-------------------------------------------------------------

Total - Rs 105.65 + 2.80

(x) (y)

--------------------------------------------------------------

(x) Restricted to Rs 99.99 Cr. (y) Restricted to Rs 2.00 Cr.

(b) Release
of Payments. Against a
contractual value of Rs 101.99 Cr, an amount of Rs 100.99Cr was released to M/s
ITI Ltd. In addition to the cost of equipment, Excise Duty to the extent of Rs
9.33 Cr and Sales Tax amounting to Rs 2.34 Cr were released.

(c)Cost
of Node/ Repeater. The
equipment required and their approximate cost of a Node and Repeater are given
below. These rates are based on 1987/88 rates.

(i)Cost of a Node(1987/88) -
Rs 195 lakhs

(ii)Cost of a Repeater (1987/88) - Rs 74 lakhs

(d)Foreign
Exchange. The
foreign exchange element in respect of ITI manufactured equipment in respect of
ASCON PhaseI was approximately 30%. However, no foreign exchange was released
exclusively for this purpose. M/s ITI Limited have imported the requisite
equipment under their own arrangement and payments made to M/S ITI Ltd
is in Indian Rupees only. MoD furnished customs duty exemption certificates
which enabled them to import equipment without the payment of customs duty.

(e)Spares. As per contract, 15% of the ITI manufactured
equipment was required to be provided by M/s ITI Ltd as 2 years maintenance spares. The total cost of spares worked out to Rs
7.20 Cr.

(f)Escalation.

(i)F.E.
Components.
Contract provided for escalations due to fluctuations in foreign
exchange rates on the imported equipment required ie 30% of ITI manufactured
equipment. Escalation worked out to Rs
4.62 Cr.

(ii)Civil
Works. Escalations on
Steel, Cement, Paints and Zinc used in the civil works.

(iii)Bought
Out Items. 15%
mark up (Handling charges) on the Bought out items. Handling charges works out to Rs 1.89 Cr.

(g)Delay
in Completion – Liquidated Damages. As per the contract, the Phase I Network was
to be completed within 3 years or 28 months from the date of handing over of
the last site. Accordingly, the system
should have been handed over by Feb 90.
Final handing over of the Network was done on 17 Aug 95. However, the system was under use by Army
since Feb 92 and accordingly, in the 1/95 Steering Committee meeting, it was
decided to offset the expenditure incurred by M/S ITI on maintenance against
the liquidated damages leviable. In view
of this liquidated damages was not levied on Phase I Contract.

PROGRESS
OF PROJECT

Progress
Timeline

Subsequent to the CCPA
approval for implementing Phase I of ASCON, considerable headway was made. Based on operational Requirements embodied in
tender inquiries floated to M/s BEL and ITI for turnkey implementation, the
responses received from both the agencies were technically evaluated and
commercial negotiations carried out with both.
Scheme for rearward integration of the Phase I network was also
finalised in consultation with the DOT.
A case was projected to seek approval of the CCPA to cover the enhanced
cost of implementing ASCON Phase I and for implementation of ASCON Phase
II.

Implementation
of ASCON Phase I had slipped due to some delay in the production of secrecy
equipment caused due to non-availability of Very large scale integration (VLSI)
chips. Though arrangements for
development of these chips were made at M/s ITI, some delay was caused due to
initial poor yield in the production process.
The software was rectified and the system got stabilised.

Network
facilities in 16 Corps Zone were extended to users on ‘field trial’ basis. Commissioning of 11 Corps Zone progressed
well. 10 and 12 Corps Zones were to be commissioned
thereafter. A meeting of Steering
Committee for ASCON chaired by Defence Secretary was held on 29 July 1991. During this meeting, the CMD, M/s ITI had
indicated that entire Phase I network would be activated and extended to users
on ‘field trial’ basis by 30 November 1991.
Qualitative handing/taking over in accordance with Acceptance,
Inspection and Test Procedures (AITPs) was to take further 4 to 6 months. Responsibility for extending complete
engineering support for ASCON Phase I would rest with M/s ITI till complete
network was taken over by Army after detailed testing in accordance with the
contractual provisions. Network was to
be under one year of warranty wef date of formal handing/taking over.

ASCON
Phase I was fully activated and network services were used extensively by the
field formations. However, M/s ITI R&D Engineers worked in the field to
carryout refinements/modifications so as to further improve the system
performance. 30 channels of ASCON Phase
I was extended to Delhi over DOT media using fibre optic links. In addition, five channels were extended over
NARAD. These channels were terminated on a 300 lines
EPABX installed at Sena Bhawan.

The
Handing/Taking over of civil assets and telecom equipments were completed at
all stations. The qualitative testing of
the network commenced in 12 Corps in June 1993 as per standards in Acceptance
Inspection Test Procedure (AIPT). The
Phase I of the network was taken over by the Army on 15 August 1995.

ASCON
Phase I was primarily a microwave radio based network. Ex SANCHAR SAMEEKSHA was carried out in
December 1995 to validate the performance of this network and also to examine
the security and survivability, i.e. the threat perception to the network. Based on the lessons of the exercise and
considering the vulnerability of radiating media of ASCON close to the Western
borders, some of the Microwave links of ASCON Phase I were identified to be
provided electronic survivability through use of optical fibre media. A plan was accordingly prepared for
commissioning 19 OFC links along the Western border. The case was taken up with MoD in January
1996. Due to resource crunch, the
project was to be implemented in two phases.

Approval
of Ministry of Defence was obtained for implementation of 12 links in Phase I
for Northern Command and the balance seven links in Phase II for Southern
Command. The (RFP) with tech
specifications for Phase I (12 OFC Links) was issued by MoD to the vendors on
10 February 1998. The proposals were
received and vetted by ASCON Working Group(AWG) and MoD. Price negotiations were carried out on 04
August 1998. The contract was issued to M/s ITI on 15 April 1999. Operation validation and necessary budgetary support
for the remaining seven OFC Links project, in Southern Comd, was obtained. These OFC links would enhance the
survivability of existing ASCON network.

ASCON
Phase I Bulk Encryption Units (BEUs), though graded B1 by the Joint Cipher
Bureau(JCB), were exposed to radiating media for more than seven years. It was felt that there was a requirement to
upgrade the algorithm and hardware of these BEUs, so that their resistivity is
maintained. The Government was
approached for approval of funds to the tune of Rs 2 Crores, which was approved
by the Steering Committee. Messrs ITI
Ltd was asked to provide a new algorithm for BEU with change of hardware. A number of meetings were held with
development agencies, JCB and Scientific Analysis Group (SAG) for early
implementation of the project. Supply order for upgradation of ASCON Phase I
BEUs was placed with M/s ITI Ltd on 13 May 1999. SAG cleared the new algorithm on 03 April
2000. M/s ITI Ltd proceed with designing
the requisite hardware to support the algorithm.

This
project was contracted with M/s ITI Ltd on 15 April 1999 at the cost of Rs 12.5
Crores. AITP for the links in 10 and 11
Corps Zones were completed on 05 May and 04 July 2000 respectively. The entire project was to be completed by 31
July 2000. These links were equipped
with the latest state-of-the-art Synchronous Digital Hierarchy(SDH) equipment. The RFP for this project was issued to
vendors on 06 October 1999. The TEC
report for the project was formally approved by appropriate authority in MoD.

ASCON Dedication Ceremony on
17th August 1995 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi

General.

August
the Seventeenth, 1995 was a glorious day for the Corps as on this day the Corps
received the appreciation of the nation for its achievement in fielding ASCON,
the Army Static Switched Communication Network, successfully. This appreciation came in the form of ASCON
being dedicated to the Nation by the Honourable Prime Minister, Mr PV Narasimha
Rao, in an impressive ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan. The ceremony was attended by Honourable Raksha
Rajya Mantri, Sanchar Mantri, three services Chiefs of Staff, Defence
Secretary, Secretary DOT, a number of Principal Staff Officers and senior
civilian officers from Ministry of Defence and Ms ITI Bangalore. The highlight of the occasion was the
presence of a galaxy of retired Signal Officers-in-Chief whose vision of
yesteryears had borne the fruit of success.

Some
of the visionaries present in the august gathering included Lt Gen RN Batra,
PVSM, OBE (Retd), popularly known as “Father of the Corps”. Gen Batra was responsible to conceptualise
the most modern “Area-Grid” Network system for the field force communication in
the early 60s. The good work was carried
by his dynamic successors, Lt Gen ID Verma, PVSM, Lt Gen EG Pettengell, PVSM,
MBE and Lt Gen KS Garewal, PVSM. With further
sophistication, need was felt for a digital communication system providing the
vital voice and data linkages from the field force to the highest headquarters
for smooth and near real time information transfer.

The
proposal for a ‘back bone’ digital system with a switched network exclusively
for the Army was cleared by the Government during the time when Lt Gen MS
Sodhi, PVSM headed the Corps of Signals.
The idea and concept of such a network was finally approved and saw the
light of the day when Lt Gen RP Singh, PVSM was heading the Corps. His dynamic approach and dogmatic
perseverance in overcoming all hurdles, whether bureaucratic or technical, bore
fruit and the project started taking shape on the ground.

The
genesis of the concept for ASCON started in Western Command when Lt Gen RP
Sapra, PVSM and Lt Gen VC Khanna, PVSM were the Chief Signal Officers.

This
was possible only due to persistent and untiring efforts of all the Signal
Officers-in-Chief. The Corps remembered
with gratitude Lt Gen SL Mehrotra, Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh, PVSM, Lt Gen SK
Mookerjee, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, Lt Gen SC Ahuja, PVSM, AVSM and Lt Gen MK Ghosh,
PVSM, AVSM. It was indeed fortunate that
most of them were present to grace the occasion.

The
Corps of Signals is indeed grateful to Lt Gen PD Bhargava, AVSM, the then Signal
Officer-in-Chief, for the speed with which the Phase I of the project was taken
over from ITI. He was the guiding spirit
behind organising the grand Dedication Ceremony of Vigyan Bhawan.

The Ceremony.

The
ceremony started sharp at 11 AM with the arrival of the Honourable Prime
Minister, Mr PV Narasimha Rao. This was
followed by opening remarks by Lt Gen PD Bhargava, AVSM, Signal
Officer-in-Chief. In his address the
SO-in-C said “ASCON is definitely a milestone not only for the Corps of Signals
and the Army, but also for the nation.
It has upgraded our communications to new heights and is a trend setter
for defence communications of the future.
It is a tribute to my predecessors, a few of whom are present in this
very august audience, to have thought of communication needs of our Army in the
battle field scenario upto and beyond beginning of the next century”.

The
welcome address was delivered by the Chief of Army Staff, General S
Roychowdhury, PVSM, ADC.

After
that the Honourable Prime Minister dedicated ASCON to the Nation in the
traditional way by lighting the lamp. A
brochure “ASCON – Pride of the Nation” was also released on the occasion. Honourable Prime Minister then presented
trophies and mementoes to various people who were associated with the
project. These included Raksha Rajya
Mantri Shri Mallikarjun, Chief of the Army Staff, Gen S Roychowdhury, PVSM,
ADC, Lt Gen PD Bhargava, AVSM, SO-in-C, Brig KK Ohri, Commander ANC, the
previous directors of ASCON Working Group and a host of officials from ITI
Bangalore. In his address the
Honourable, Prime Minister praised the achievements of Corps of Signals and M/s ITI Ltd. He remarked :-

“It
is a matter of great pride for the Nation that the Corps of Signals of our Army
conceptualised such a modern system and brought it to concrete shape. This achievement is a compliment to the
present and past leadership of the Indian Army in general and the Corps of
Signals in particular.”

[Col RS Chhatwal, August The
Seventeenth 1995 : A Red Letter Day In The History of The Corps of Signals, The
Signalman Nov 1995, PP 11-13 ]

Prime Minister’s Remarks at
ASCON Dedication Ceremony on 17th August 1995 at Vigyan Bhawan, New
Delhi

I
extend my heartiest felicitations to the Indian Army on this occasion when an
indigenously developed, modern communication system, the Army Static Switched
Communication Network (ASCON), is being put into service. It is a matter of great pride for the Nation
that the Corps of Signals of our Army conceptualised such a modern system and
brought it to concrete shape. This
achievement is a compliment to the present and past leadership of the Indian
Army in general and the Corps of Signals in particular.

I
also congratulate the officers and men of the Indian Army and the officials of
Ministry of Defence who have worked on this project to complete it in record
time The successful launching of ASCON
is yet another milestone which confirms our continued commitment to self
reliance, particularly in the field of Defence Technology.

Designing
and fielding a state-of-the-art military communications system with totally
indigenous R&D is a classic example where Indian Industry has admirably
responded to the requirements of the Army.
I congratulate M/s ITI Ltd, the developing agency who took up this
challenge and designed and commissioned the network of this complexity and
magnitude. I congratulate the young
engineers of ITI Ltd, who put in hard work to install this system in deserts of
Rajasthan, the plains of Punjab and the mountains of J&K. It is a tribute to these engineers that the
major portion of the network in Punjab was installed during the peak of
insurgency without any delay.

The
launching of this network today is a step forward for us towards greater
self-reliance in reliable and sophisticated technologies. The commissioning of
ASCON shows that Indian talent and determination can record notable
achievements, it is also an example of Indian industry working
shoulder-to-shoulder with the Government for national benefit.

I
have great pleasure in dedicating ASCON to the nation.

Key Note Address by Chief of
the Army Staff

Army
Static Switched Communication Network, ASCON, as General Bhargava has just
mentioned, is a state-of-the-art communication system with multi-media
capability. It tremendously enhances the
Army’s capability in the field, which, as all thinking soldiers are aware, will
dominate the battlefield of the 21st century. It also tremendously enhances the operational
flexibility of the Army and acts as a very viable force multiplier.

Initially,
the ASCON network is to be deployed along our western borders to service the
formations which are operational there.
In our subsequent phases, we plan to extend this network to the interior
of our country as also to our formations in Central India as also in the East.

This
morning is a proud day for us and we compliment and salute the vision,
expertise, dedication, devotion to duty and sheer will power and skill of all
who visualized, planned, and executed this prestigious project, and also who
now operate and man this extremely sophisticated state of the art system. Without the effort, the joint efforts of the
Indian Army’s Corps of Signals, the engineers of the ITI, as also our concerned
colleagues in the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Telecommunications,
this project would not have been established in a relatively short time on such
a sound footing.

I
once again thank the Prime Minister, who is also our Defence Minister, for
being with us this morning to dedicate this little known but vitally important
project, which is a major step forward in the Army’s communication system, and
we look forward to his continued support in all our future endeavours. I also thank our distinguished guests who are
present here this morning on this suspicious occasion.

Thank you, JAI HIND.

Introductory Remarks By the
SO-in-C

On
behalf of Chief of the Army Staff and all ranks of Corps of Signals, I extend
an extremely warm welcome to you on the occasion of the Dedication Ceremony of
ASCON to the nation. Indeed we are
grateful to the Hon’ble Prime Minister who could spare his valuable time and be
with us to grace the occasion.

Historically
we tend to think of human development in terms of ages. There was a stone age, an iron age and so on;
and today with the information revolution, we have entered an era, which could
be termed as the ‘Age of the Network’.
Its genesis could be traced to the advent of digital technology and the
consequent marriage of computers and communications.

Today,
ladies and gentlemen, we are here to dedicate to the nation an indigenous,
state of the art, fully automated, completely secure and integrated theatre
area network called ASCON. ASCON is
definitely a milestone not only for the Corps of Signals and the Army, but also
for the nation. It has upgraded our
communications to new heights and
is a trendsetter for defence communications of the future. It is a tribute to my predecessors, a
few of whom are present in this very august audience, to have thought of
communication needs of our Army in the projected battlefield scenario upto and
beyond the beginning of the next century.
We salute the Army Headquarters and Ministry of Defence for sanctioning
the indigenous execution of a project of this magnitude and complexity, thus
reposing their faith in the inherent capability of the ITI and the Corps of
Signals.

I
submit to this distinguished audience with immense joy and satisfaction that
nation’s faith has been gloriously justified as we present today the fruit of
our determined and dedicated efforts in the form of successful implementation
of project ASCON – a communication network of national importance, a network
which has immense potential for providing communications to our remote areas,
and thus be the “Pride of our Nation”.

The
project was monitored by and executed under the directions of high level
Steering Committee appointed by the CCPA, and headed by the Defence
Secretary. The journey from the
inception to the successful execution of the project, while punctuated with moments
of success, jubilation, disappointment and apprehensions, has been
characteristic of a strong resolve and an unshakable determination to
succeed. It is a classical example of
what collective efforts of the Government, industry and the Army can produce
when confronted with a challenge and ably led by people of vision who can take
risks, make quick decisions and effectively motivate the team.

Our
profound gratitude to the Defence Secretary, Chief of the Army Staff and Raksha
Rajya Mantri for providing just the kind of leadership that I mentioned. But for their personal involvement, it would
not have been possible to execute this prestigious project.

Thank you.

The
following personnel were complimented for completion of the project:-

CCPA approval for the
enhanced cost of ASCON Phase I as also for the concurrent implementation of
ASCON Phase II was obtained during October 1986. The contract for turnkey implementation of
ASCON Phase I was awarded to M/s ITI Bangalore on 14 February 1987 where as the
letter of intent was issued on 23 October 1986.
The network was to be fully commissioned and handed over to the Army
latest by 14 February 1990. Heavy
penalties were incorporated in the contract for any delay beyond the specified
date. Since the issue of letter of
intent the activities involving ground survey, identification of sites, and
obtaining of strategic Standing Advisory Committee for Frequency Allocation (SACFA)
clearance including frequency allocation and land acquisition (where ever
necessary) were completed. The
provisioning of allied services, viz approach road, water supply and power
supply were progressed as per schedule.
The sites were required to be handed over to M/s ITI before 13 October
1987, for commencing constructional activities.

The process of finalising
ASCON Phase II contract commenced and was expected to be awarded by December
1987. Planning for subsequent phases for
extension of ASCON to other strategic and theatre areas in the country during 8th
and 9th plan period was being done in consultation with concerned
Command HQs. The project implementation
was being monitored by the Defence Secretary who was also the Chairman of the
Steering Committee for ASCON.

Phase
II of ASCON was planned to link the Phase I network to Delhi using DOT
media. The contract of Phase II was
awarded to M/S ITI for turnkey execution.
Phase II envisaged, setting up nodes at Chandimandir, Jaipur, Delhi and
Ambala and was to be made commercial by end 1991. ASCON Phase II made steady progress. The project was progressed vigorously.

The Phase I of the network covered our
Western Borders extending from Rajouri (J&K) in the North to Hatma in the
South. This belt is 1500 Kms long and of
varied terrain. The network was two-tier
consisting of 43 full-fledged switching nodes and 21 repeater stations. The project was implemented by M/s ITI Ltd as
a turnkey project and handed over to Army in 1995.

The Phase II was envisaged to extend the
Phase I network to the hinterland on DOT hired bulk media. Four nodes were added to the network during
this phase including the node at Delhi.
The Project was completed in 1997.

Phase I and Phase II consisted of
interconnected communication nodes using Microwave Radio, OFC and DOT media
with Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) technology. Wherever distances are beyond the Line of
Sight (LOS) range, repeaters were used to extend the range. OFC was also being used between the
nodes. Formation Headquarters hook on to
the nearest node thereby gaining access to the entire network. Each node was connected to at least two other
nodes for network survivability.

Phase I & II ASCON Node Configuration and Equipment

The major communication system and equipment
in the ASCON nodes of Phase I and Phase II is given in the next paragraph.

The features and facilities of these systems
are explained in the subsequent paragraphs.

Voice Switch

The Voice Switch is the digital exchange
(Software controlled TDM-PCM switch) at a node.
It provided digital trunk highways (120 to 720 channels) for networking
120 digital trunk channels in each direction in form of four 30 channel First
Order Digital MUX (2.048 Mbps) output.
The Voice Switch also provided dedicated path for the flow of data
between the Data Switch and High Speed Data (HSD) channels through Digital Line
Interface (DLI) channels. It provided 64
Local Subscribers Ports (LSP) for local subscriber extensions and 64 Drop
Insert Ports (DIP) to interface with existing static or mobile ASCON Entity
equipments. The architecture of the
voice switch varies depending on the requirement of various nodes. Various configurations with their capacity
are given below :-

ConfigurationLSPDIPDigital Trunks

E1 64 64 120

E2 64 64 240

E3 64 64 360

E4 64 64 480

E5 64 64 600

E6 64 64 720

Salient Features

(a) A
multiprocessor configuration with a Hot standby for each communication
processor.

(b) Full
non-blocking switching using TDM-PCM technique.

(c) Unique
subscriber identity over the complete network.

(d) Alternate
routing over network that can cater for up to three alternate routes.

(e) It
used loop dialling/calling and ringing on LSP and DIP and digital Multi
Frequency Tone Register Signalling MFR2 on digital trunks.

(i) To
provide local telephone extension to subscribers located in close vicinity of
the ASCON node. It catered for maximum
loop resistance of 1200 ohms on loop calling/dialing.

(ii) To
provide direct access to the grid in the form of trunk demand telephone to
selected subscribers.

(iii) To
provide hot lines.

(iv) Two
of these ports could be combined to provide one D1 port. However, where conversion was required, 8 LSP
had to be converted to 4 DIP.

(v) To
connect an exchange on bulk media.

(b) DIP. The voice switch provides 64 DIP for
providing trunk extensions to exchanges of nearby field formations (Static or
Mobile). The ports could be used as
analogue speech tie lines for various types of automatic exchanges such as
EPABX, PAX, PABX or TIDEX Exchanges. It
catered for maximum loop resistance of 1500 ohms. These DIPs could be grouped together in groups
of 6, 8, 12 or 24 ports. The ports were
used in particular configuration during peace and operations. During peace these ports were utilised to
provide junction lines between ASCON nodes and station EPABX. The junction lines should be at least 10% of
the capacity of the EPABX. During
operations, D1 ports were utilised to provide connectivity of formation HQs to
the node as per the channel capacity of the ADM MUX at the scale of Bde HQ-6,
Div HQ Main-12, Div HQ Rear-6 and Corps HQ Main-24. In terms of formation HQs, one node can
support any of the following combinations :-

(i) 3
x Bdes + 1 x Main Div.

(ii) 2 x Main Div + 1 x Bde.

(iii) 1 x Main Corps + 1 x CMA.

(c) Interfacing
modules for various types of signalling in case of DIP of Voice Switch are as
under :-

(i) A1 - 24V loop and dial to work through ADM
MUX.

(ii) A2 - 48V loop and dial DOT systems &
EPABX.

(iii) A3 - 48 E&M. e & M ports on Trunks.

(iv) A4 - 48V PABX

(d) High Speed Data(HSD). 6 point to
point high speed data synchronous channels are provided at one Node. These are interconnected to the Data Switch
by means of DLI. These channels are not
switched by Voice Switch and are allotted as dedicated channels between data
switches of the adjacent Nodes.

System Features. The local subscribers on the Voice Switch were
provided with the following facilities :-

(a) Abbreviated Dialling. Each Voice Switch had provision to store20 numbers to be used by
subscribers. Abbreviated dialling code
for these numbers was from 60 to 79.
Under each code, a number whose length is upto 15 digits could be
stored. LSP and DIP could dial the two
digit abbreviated numbers. The call could be processed to the number stored
against the code number dialled.

(b) Consultation. Local subscribers could consult another
local subscriber while talking on a junction call or a local call. The second subscriber would be parked and put
on hold till completion of the consultation.

(c) Call Transfer. Local subscriber orginating or receiving
local call or a junction call could transfer the call to another local
subscriber.

(d) Add On Conference. It was possible to establish a three party
conference among three local subscribers or between two local subscribers and a
junction subscriber.

(e) Line Load Control. Facility was provided in the Voice Switch
for giving preferential service to a limited number of LSP and DIP in case of
emergency. The activation and
deactivation of this feature could be done from the system console. When activated, the exchange would only allow
calls from the subscribers and D1 ports marked for preferential service. Line load control would bar transit calls
over the digital highways of the network.

(f) Called Alert. In a local call, the release of the call was
under the control of the calling subscriber.
Should the called subscriber release first, the calling subscriber could
alert the called party. A burst of ring
of 2 sec duration would be sent to the called party and facility tone would be
given to the calling subscriber. This
facility could be repeated as many times as desired before the called
subscriber answers or the timeout on called subscriber held condition occurs.

(g) Auto Call Back. In a local call, a subscriber on dialing
another local subscriber who was busy could exercise auto call back facility to
get alerted when the wanted subscriber becomes free.

(h) Group Hunting. It was possible to form groups of local
subscribers for the purpose of call routing.
A group could have a maximum of 16 local subscribers and four such
groups were possible at Voice Switch of a node.
Every group had a subscriber as the prime number. Call routed to the prime number would be
diverted to a free subscriber in the group if the prime subscriber was
busy. The search for a free subscriber
in the group would be sequential.

(j) Hot Lines. Facility was provided for the provision of
hot lines in the Voice Switch for point-to-point communication through the
network. A maximum of 64 hot lines could
be provided.

Data Switch (IDX-96)

The IDX-96 Data Switch provided a means of
accessing the wanted device from a given device for an exchange of data. The system could serve a variety of data
devices like Computers, Teleprinters, Facsimile units, Intelligence terminals
and VDUs. Upto six IDX-96 Nodes could be
inter-connected via DLI of Voice Switch to form a network of its own.

IDX-96 was a Packet Switch with Packet Switch
Controller (PSC) as the nucleus and packet Assembler Dissembler (PADs) as fron
end data handlers. It used X.25, X.28
and X.75 packet switching protocols.

Salient Features

(a) Telex Circuits. Total number of 48 Telex circuits could be
connected working at baud rates of 50, 100, 200 and 300.

Second Order MUX. Voice Switch provided First
Order MUX output (4x30 ch) on each highway.
After encryption, these were sent to Second Order MUX on each
highway. 8 Mbps Digital Multiplex
Equipment (Second Order MUX employing time division multiplexing) combined
these four channels with a nominal bit rate of 2.048 Mbps to form a composite
signal of 8.44 Mbps. The process was reversed
on receiver side.

Digital Microwave Radio. The 2 GHz narrow band Digital
Microwave System was designed to meet specific requirement of ASCON. The system operated in RF band 2.3 to 2.5 GHz
and catered for 120 channels in addition to the one supervisory and two order
wire channels. The system catered for
one active and one protection system on each high way. The order wire
facilities extended in this system were the omnibus order wire for
communication within the zone and express order wire (EOW) between zonal
centres.

Progress of the Project.

Most
of the equipments common to Phase I were under production. Production of Secrecy Units was taken up only
after inadequacies of the unit have been overcome and verified during field
trials of Phase I. Prototype Optical
Line Terminating Equipment was ready for test.
Optical fibre route construction activities were in progress at eight
sites. Procurement action for optical
fibre cable was initiated. Civil works were
on schedule at Chandimandir, Ambala and Jaipur.
At Delhi, modification of Sena Bhawan Basement by CPWD was
completed. Although all activities
progressed steadily, there was some slippage in time schedule by four to six
months due to delays in import of Fault Tolerant Computer System (FTS) pending
clearance from Department of Energy(DOE).
Tenders for Fibre Optic Cable and Optical Test Instruments were floated
again to get the cable approved by Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI)
and to get the latest test instruments.
Phase II was likely to be commissioned by mid 1992.

Installation
and testing of communication equipment was completed at all the four stations
of ASCON Phase II namely Jaipur, Ambala,
Chandimandir and Delhi except Voice Switch at Delhi. Nine out of the total 11 linkages were
activated and were being used by field formations. Jaipur – Jodhpur and Jaipur – Bikaner could
not be activated due to non availability of DOT bulk media. It was planned to activate Jaipur – Jodhpur
link by 30 September 1994 and Jaipur – Bikaner by 31 December 1994. Consequent to commissioning of Delhi node,
ASCON Phase II was under extensive use by Army.
All linkages of Phase II were activated except for Jaipur-Bikaner
link. The handing/taking over of all
civil assets and telecom equipments were completed. For qualitative taking over, the testing
commenced in June 1995.

The
Government sanction for upgradation of 12 ASCON Phase II links hired from DoT
from 2 to 8 Mbps was obtained at an annual recurring cost of Rs 12.75
Crores. Firm demand was placed on DoT
for upgradation of ASCON Phase II links from 2 to 8 Mbps. 11 links were upgraded, and DoT bills
pertaining to these were partially cleared.
Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) for ASCON Phase II was processed with
Messrs ITI Ltd and MoD. Prices
Negotiation Committee (PNC) was carried out with Messrs ITI Ltd for ASCON BEUs
to be procured out of Tele Adm Grant by DG Sigs and respective Comds. The negotiated prices were as follows :-

(a) 2 Mbps BEU - Rs
2.95 Lakhs.

(b) 8
Mbps BEU - Rs 5.3 Lakhs.
Excl Excise Duty and Sales Tax.

(c) Hand
Held Terminal - Rs 0.25 Lakhs.

(HHT)

The
following phase II links of ASCON network were upgraded from 2 to 8 Mb to avoid
congestion :-

(a) Delhi
– Mamum.

(b) Delhi
– Jalandhar.

(c) Delhi
– Chandimandir.

(d) Delhi
– Jaipur.

(e) Delhi
– Hissar.

(f) Bikaner
– Jaipur.

(g) Delhi
– Bathinda.

(h) Delhi
– Ambala.

(j) Jalandhar
– Chandimandir.

(k) Jalandhar
– Ambala.

(l) Chandimandir
– Ambala.

(m) Jaipur
– Jodhpur.

Communication
breakthrough was achieved when ASCON connectivity was successfully extended to
remotely located Bhuj station. 24
channel communication media employing a chain of tropo and RR links and
spanning a distance of over 625 kms was successfully established between Jalipa
ASCON node and Bhuj during the months of Jun – August 1995. This provided the Bhuj sector a reliable and
secure media access to the ASCON network.
ASCON connectivity was successfully extended to Bhopal on 20 Jun 97 from
Delhi on 2 MB DOT hired media. The first
Optical Fibre ASCON highway was commissioned and formally inaugurated by the
SO-in-C on 16 June 1998.

War
Wastage Reserve (WWR) for ASCON equipment was projected to the Govt and was
approved by the Steering Committee for ASCON.
A board of officers was constituted to identity and recommend scales of equipment
to be procured under WWR. The board
proceedings was finalised. The existing
ASCON network had not catered for any War Wastage Res of equipment. Case for WWR for ASCON equipment was
projected to the MoD, and was approved by the Steering Committee for
ASCON. A board of officers identified
and recommended the scale of equipment.
After validation by MO Directorate, the proposal was forwarded to MoD
for sanction. Contract for painting of
64 ASCON towers was concluded on 15 September 1998. The work was completed in all respect on 30
December 1998.

Army
Static Switched Communication Network (ASCON) – Phase III

General

The
CCPA paper on ASCON projects approved future growth of ASCON network by
including more nodes for extension of the network, to provide network
redundancy using different media, up conversion of repeaters to node for
operational requirements as also to obtain greater flexibility. There was also provision to upgrade the
network technology with the latest state-of-the-art technology for providing
more services to the users. Accordingly,
ASCON Phase III was planned to extend existing ASCON to Kashmir Valley and
Ladakh, to cover the voids in Western and Southern commands and to cover
important stations in the North East and in the hinterland. The technologies of Phase I and Phase II were
proving inadequate in terms of quantity and feature richness which existing
technology at that stage could offer.
Converged technologies like ATM that offered higher multiplexing
facility supporting Synchronous Digital Hierarchy at high switching rates were
being introduced.

The
drawbacks of TDM technology used in ASCON Phase I and II were :-

(a)Technology obsolescence.

(b)Fixed bandwidth whether in use or not.

(c)Inflexible and not scalable in terms of
Bandwidth.

(d)High speed data channels not on standard
protocol and hence not exploited.

Signalling scheme used by
M/s ITI Ltd within their own ILT switches was not standardised hence did not
allow smooth integration with other switches. It envisaged a complete
technological upgrade of existing Time Division Multiplexing(TDM) technology which
was being used in ASCON switches to state of the art ATM technology. The planned ASCON Network would provide a
network capable of transporting large sharable bandwidth seamlessly across the
network. It was to provide high
bandwidth media connectivity using optical fibre, sub rate STM radio and satellite
overlay network. It would provide a
single network for conveyance of multiservice having a high backbone carrier
capacity.

Accordingly,
ASCON Phase III was planned to overcome these drawbacks of technology in Phase I
and Phase II. It envisaged a complete
technological upgradation of existing TDM technology. The future ASCON network was planned to
provide a network capable of transporting large sharable bandwidth seamlessly
across the network. It should provide
high bandwidth media connectivity using optical fibre, sub-rate STM radio and
satellite overlay network. It would
provide a single network for conveyance of multiservices having backbone
carrier capacity of 155 Mbps on STM 1 links, 622 Mbps on STM 4 links, 34 Mbps
on Microwave links and 8 Mbps on existing Microwave and BSNL links (pertaining
to Phase I and II). ASCON Phase II was
to be state-of-the-art end to end digital fully secure network employing varied
media, supporting value added services including video conferencing (studio, desktop)
and bandwidth on demand. It was to
employ a wide spectrum of frequencies and would be EMI/EMC protected. While the network as a whole should have
reliability and availability better than 99.9 percent, each link was to have
reliability and availability better than 99.99 percent with BER better than 10-7.

Extension of ASCON to Other
Sectors in the Country

Approval
in principle was given in October 1987 for extension of ASCON to rest of the
country. Further, in consonance with the
directions given by the then RRM (A) to formulate ASCON Extension Plan (Phase
III), a nationwide survey was conducted under a separate consultancy contract
awarded to M/s Bharat Electronics Ltd. The ground survey for extension of ASCON
in different Commands was conducted by M/s BEL Ghaziabad. The initial survey was carried out. The DOT had committed to provide most of the
digital media that was required for extension of ASCON in the hinterland. Final reports of the nation wide survey for
extension plans of ASCON were submitted by M/s BEL in March 1990. Wargames for finalising ASCON architecture
were held. Due to resource crunch during
8th Army Plan, it was planned to extend ASCON only to HQ 15 Corps
and to cover some voids in 16 Corps Zone.
CCPA approval for implementation of these plans was proposed to be
sought by end 91 after budgetary allocation was known.

A broad outline plan for ASCON Phase III was
then formulated by the Army. This plan
was, however, modified later and optimised to evolve a most time and cost
effective solution in the form of ‘Integrated ASCON Extension and Satellite
Communication Plan’ at a much reduced total capital outlay.

ASCON
extension plan was presented to COAS during 45th CSOs/Comdts
conference held at 2 STC, Goa on 23 March 1992.
Subsequently, a presentation on ASCON Phase III was made to DCOAS
(T&C) on 07 April 1992. Thereafter,
the plans were approved by the VCOAS who directed that action to obtain
approval of CCPA for ASCON Phase III be initiated. The ASCON Phase III plan was formally
presented at the Steering Committee Meeting on Project ASCON held at MoD on 31
May 1993 and approval in principle was accorded for the same. It had a capital
outlay of approx Rs. 252 crores. The
CCPA paper was prepared and processed for Government approval.

The
key terms of reference, which clearly highlighted its architecture, considered
for evolving ASCON extension plan Phase III, are as under :-

(a) Extension
plan to build up ASCON as a sub-continental backbone network as envisaged in the CCPA approval of ASCON Phase
I and Phase II.

(b) Due
consideration be given for enhancement of physical and electronic survivability of the network.

(c) An integrated approach to be adopted,
taking into consideration the other on going modernisation schemes viz AAKASH,
AREN and so on to avoid duplication and ensure optimum utilisation of
resources.

(e) The
plan to lend itself for full integration with the national network when required.
However, dependence on DOT hired media be gradually reduced during peace time so as to reduce excessive recurring
expenditure on hiring on bulk digital media
from DOT as also to ensure availability of facilities during strikes by DOT personnel and adverse internal security
situation.

(f) At
least all Command and Corps Headquarters, and some important Divisional Headquarters be covered during the 8th
Plan period.

(g) Manpower,
requirement to be met within existing resources without any additional financial commitment on this
account.

(h) Terrestrial extension for
redundancy/survivability for ASCON Phase III as also extension to hinterland
stations and selected Formation Headquarters to be included in the 9th
Plan.

(j) Only
provision technologies to be incorporated to cut down the implementation time and to avoid time and
cost overruns. At the same time, the
plan must have the requisite
flexibility to absorb new technologies and provide ISDN type of services with minimal changes.

The
plans for extension of ASCON to other areas were approved by the VCOAS. The aim was that the most of the preliminary
activities viz land acquisition, SACFA clearance for frequency and tower
heights, provision of allied services and the like were completed during the
current plan period so that no time is lost for these activities and actual
implementation commences right in the beginning of next plan period.

ASCON
Phase III was included in the recast 8th Plan projections. Draft note for the approval of the Cabinet
for ASCON Phase III at an estimated cost of Rs 302.30 Crores (excluding excise
duty) was under processing with MoD.
The following stations were connected on ASCON through DOT hired 2 MB
digital Bulk media :-

(a) Delhi
– Calcutta.

(b) Delhi
– Pune.

(c) Delhi
– Lucknow.

(d) Delhi
– Mathura.

In
addition to above, the 2 MB media was sanctioned for the following stations :-

(a) Delhi
- Udhampur.

(b) Delhi
- Shillong.

(c) Udhampur -
Srinagar.

Steering
Committee meeting was held on 22 January 1998 in which stock of progress on
ASCON Phase I and II was taken and implementation modalities of ASCON Phase III
were discussed. The Chairman Steering
Committee, the Defence Secretary, gave a number of rulings which facilitated
the clearing of various bottlenecks in project implementation. The topology of ASCON Phase III was also
ratified in the meeting. A number of
Tech Implementation Group (TIG) meetings under the Chairmanship of ADG (Tels)
were held. Brainstorming sessions were held on switch and satellite technology. Presentations from various vendors were
organised to explore the available technology. Command representatives also
attended the TIG meeting. The draft Operational
Requirement (OR) was fwd to CSOs Command for their comments, which were received
and discussed for suitably incorporating in the Operational Requirement. Request for Proposal (RFP) for ASCON Phase
III was vetted by MoD and was
scrutinised by MoD (Finance).

Tender Process. The Statement of Case for manpower of ASCON
Phase III was taken up. Consequently, on
the directions of SO-in-C a presentation was given by Dir AWG to SO-in-C and
other Seniors officers of DG Signals.
Consequent to the approval of ASCON Phase III, which is a complex
multiple media project covering almost the entire subcontinent, a case was
taken up to enhance the auth of AWG. The
same was approved by the SO-in-C. The
Request for Proposal (RFP) with Operational Requirement (OR) was issued to
selected vendors by MoD on 09 December 1998.
Technical and commercial bids were received on 06 February 1999. The Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC),
which was constituted by the Steering Committee of ASCON, carried out the
technical evaluation of the proposals forwarded by the vendors. The TEC report was approved by the MoD, and
subsequently, the commercial bid was opened in the MoD on 10 June 1999.

Actions Taken Before
Implementation Stage.

ASCON
Phase III was planned to extend existing ASCON into Kashmir Valley, Ladakh and
to the North East. It envisaged a
complete technological upgrade of existing TDM Technology being used in ASCON
switches to state-of-the-art Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) technology. The ASCON was made the backbone network for
the Army which provided capability of transporting large shareable bandwidth
‘seamlessly’ across the network. It had
high bandwidth connectivity with the media being optical fibre, subrate STM
radio and also satellite for bulk media connectivity. The PNC for ASCON Phase
III was concluded on 24 March 2000. The Project was awarded to M/s ITI Ltd at a
cost of Rs 355 Crores as a turnkey project to be completed within 48 months
from the date of issue of Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOI was given to the vendor by MoD on 31
March 2000 with an advance of Rupees 71 Crores. The following actions were
taken :-

(a) Survey was carried out in Northern
Command from 12 to 19 April 2000 and in Eastern Command from 08 to 14 May
2000.

(c) Test bed was set up for proving the
network solution as proposed by M/s ITI Ltd in their technical offer before the
equipment was sent to their destined locations.

(d) Monthly coordinating meetings were held
between M/s ITI Ltd and AWG to review progress of the project. These were conducted regularly.

(e) M/s ITI Ltd set up a Project Management
Office in AWG premises for smooth implementation of the ASCON Phase III
project.

Satellite
Communication.

Satellite forms an integral
part of ASCON Phase III providing the third dimension of connectivity. The satellite terminals were used in static
role with both pre assigned and demand assigned configuration. The satellite
network was established in a mesh configuration. The network was designed to work on
transponders off INSAT satellites. There
was two types of satellite linkages as follows :-

(a) Bulk connectivity.

(b) Channel based connectivity.

Permanently
assigned Bulk Media connectivity of 2 Mbps (E1 connectivity) was provided
between five selected sites called principal stations. The 2 Mbps pipe provided satellite overlay
between ASCON switches at these locations.
Interfaces were on G.703 standard and work in conjunction with an
exclusive Bulk Encryption Unit of 2 Mbps capacity which was provided separately
as part of secrecy equipment. The
project had started rolling.

Methodology. The following methodology for extending
secure, automated and real time communications was adopted :-

(a) Long distance linkages were planned over
two layered fully secure satellite system (SATCOM) comprising of both ‘On
Demand’ communication facility based on Digital Single Channel Per Carrier
(SCPC) system and high capacity linkages to stations having higher density of
traffic. These facilities were to be
supported on INSAT-2 series of satellites by establishing a hub station at
Delhi. The hub station would also house
the Network Control Facility.

(b) Short haul linkages were planned on
secure terrestrial system using 7/8 GHz Digital Microwave Radio for single and
double hop links. Only two medium range
terrestrial linkages were planned on Digital Media hired from DOT; primarily to
effect economy; both in capital outlay and manpower.

(c) Full integration between SATCOM and
terrestrial systems as also with ASCON Phases I and II, AREN, AMSS and DOT had
been catered for to ensure availability of all telematics services to the
users. To ensure this, three Gateways
were planned to be established at Delhi, Srinagar and Jodhpur.

(d) Some secure UHF links (30 to 60 channels
capacity) were planned to give extensions to some stations from the
neighbouring nodes to ensure optimum utilisation of the network facilities.

(e) All efforts were made to locate the ASCON
stations within the cantonments/formation headquarter premises, to reduce costs
and provide greater physical security.

In
addition to above, the following addtions for improved network architecture
were considered :-

(a) A Central Zonal Control Centre (CZC) to
be established at Delhi and a Zonal Control Centre (ZCC) at Chandimandir.

(b) The communication architecture took into
account enhanced communication requirements based on a threat perspective as
also during training periods/formation exercises.

(c) Requisition of eight Mobile Nodes
alongwith eight Repeater Centres (Mobile version) were also proposed to be
inducted to replace casualty nodes and for extension of ranges.

Features of ASCON Phase III.

Salient
features of ASCON Phase III were as follows :-

(a)Used ATM technology for core switching.

(b)Maximum use of OFC as media to provide large
capacity highways between ATM switches.
(The back bone tier of ASCON was completely on OFC barring few links).

The
network should be reconfigurable through NMS for various capacities, services
and interfaces. It would employ commercial
off-the-shelf equipment, which would operate under controlled environment. Non-conventional energy sources like solar
power should be employed at remote places.

The
network would be built up around an integrated switch and the switches would be
interconnected using diverse media like Microwave, OFC, Satellite and UHF Radio
with varying bandwidth (34/8/2 Mbps in case of PDH (Ple – synchronous Digital
Hierarchy) and 155 Mbps/622 Mbps in case SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy).

Scope of Work

The
scope of work for ASCON Phase III included the following :-

(a) New
Nodes - 11

(b) Node
+ Satellite stations - 12

(c) Upgradation
of existing Repeater to Nodes - 05

(d) Upgradation
of existing Nodes with ATM - 35

Switches

(e) OFC - 2200
Kms

(f) UHF
Extns - 7

(g) Satellite
Stations - 7

(h) Mobile
Nodes - 8 detachments

The
network would consist of following communication sub-systems :-

(a) Integrated
switch consisting of ISDN and ATM switches.

(b) Microwave
Radio.

(c) OFC.

(d) Satellite.

(e) Secrecy
with inbuilt SDH functionality.

(f) NMS.

Integrated Switch

The
integrated trunk cum local switch consisted of an ATM Switch for the trunk
switching and an ISDN Switch for the local switching. It provided the following facilities:-

(a) Distributive Switching Architecture. The system displayed processing intelligence and switching capability
throughout the network, assuring optimal performance
as the network expands, with no single point of failure.

(b) It
was capable of expansion to meet user requirements through addition of capacity and functionality as and when
required. It employed advanced and
efficient algorithm to avoid
congestion proactively without sacrificing network efficiency.

(c) Exhibited
adjustable rate of data flow as needed at each network hop to avoid queuing delays and data discards.

(j) Complete component redundancy including option for ATM
switching matrix, line cards and power supply to assure continuous, fault
tolerant operation was incorporated.

(k) NMS. It was an industry standard, open system
SNMP including IP support for simplified and streamlined management
functionality. It supported all
traditional management functions (configuration, accounting performance,
security and fault management), node utilization control and centralized remote
debugging functions.

(p) Video Transmission. Studio quality and desktop with MPEG-2 and
JPEG standards was possible amongst a maximum of eight locations.

Hardware
Features. The hardware features were :-

(a)Modular design.

(b)Hot standby.

(c)Expandable by adding modules.

Graceful
degradation and fail safe operation. At
least 30% of user facilities was always available over the network.

Software Features. The following
software features were available :-

(a) User
friendly MMI.

(b) Optimal
call routing (Preferably hybrid routing).

(c) Digit
handling capacity, min 15 digits.

(d) Fault
diagnosis package.

(e) Periodic
call statistics.

(f) Distributive
processing.

(g) Group
hunting for speech or data.

(h) Call
duration control.

Digital Microwave Equipment

Microwave
equipment operating in hot standby mode was provided with frequency setting
accuracy and stability as per CCIR recommendations. Actual frequencies allocation was referred to
Wireless Planning Committee(WPC) for approval.
The equipment provided the following features :-

(j) Interface with multiplexing equipment using HDB-3 format as
per CCITT specification G.703.

Optical
Fiber Cable

The Optical Fiber links were
used as bulk media between different stations.
The cable was 24/12 fiber monomode, unarmoured cable in HDPE pipe with
lowest coefficient of friction and preferably with silicon lining with proper
ducting terminated at both ends with capability of supporting SDH system upto
STM-16. The cable was of central tube
variety. A combination of cable
jet/manual pulling method was used to blow/pull the cable in the HDPE. Detailed specifications of cable (as per G.
652) are given below :-

(a) Mode field diameter (1550 nm) - 1.5+ 1.0 micron

(b) Design - Matched cladding

(c) Refractive Index Profile - Step

(d) Cut of wavelength - < 1250 nm

(e) Attenuation - <0.22 dB/km (1550 nm)

<
0.3 db/km (1330 nm)

(f) Chromatic Dispersion - <18ps/(nmkm) (1550 nm)

<3.5ps/(nmkm)
(1310 nm)

(g) Bending radius - better than 14D

(h) Temperature stability - -30 to 700C.

(j) Tensile strength - greater than 2500 N

(k) The laying of the cable was as per TEC specifications.

(l) The BDPE pipe used was of 40 mm outer diameter with minimum
wall thickness of 3.5mm as per following specifications :-

(ix) It had
capacity of STM-4 or STM-1 with provision to drop 2MB streams compatible with E1 standards.

Satellite
Connectivity.

Satellite Communication
forms an integral part of ASCON Phase III providing the third dimension of
connectivity. The satellite terminals
were used in static role with both pre assigned and demand assigned
configuration. Systems used digital
technology capable of working in C/extended C band off INSAT series of
satellites. The satellite network was
established in a mesh configuration. The
network was designed to work on transponders off INSAT satellites. There were two types of satellite linkages as
follows :-

(a) Bulk connectivity.

(b) Channel based connectivity.

Bulk
Media Connectivity.
Permanently assigned Bulk Media connectivity of 2 Mbps (E1 connectivity)
was provided between five selected sites called principal stations. The 2 Mbps pipe provides satellite overlay
between ASCON switches at these locations.
Interfaces were on G.703 standard and work in conjunction with an
exclusive Bulk Encryption Unit of 2 Mbps capacity which was provided separately
as part of secrecy equipment.

Channel
Based Connectivity.
Voice and data connectivity between all the stations was provided in
mesh configuration.

(a) Voice. The stations use SCPC – DAMA
configuration. 20% of DAMA channels of
each station was to be permanently assigned to other specific stations through
software command from NMS.

(i) Coding - 16 Kbps or less.

(ii) Quality - MOS of 4.0 or better.

(iii) DAMA
Factor - 0.7

(iv) Single
hop speech between any two stations.

(v) Ability
to operate G3/G4 fax.

(vi) Signalling
support SS # 7.

(b) Data. Data connectivity was provided using
TDM-TDMA technology. The data channels were assigned permanently and was not
to exceed a maximum of two hops between two users. Combination of data channels should be
possible to provide video transmission and other ISDN features.

Antenna
System. The radiation
pattern of antenna conforms to CCIR recommendation 580. The antenna system should be operational
under the following climatic conditions :-

(a) Worst case
of snowfall - 60 cm

(b) Maximum
amount of snowfall/day - 6 m/day

(c) Maximum
rainfall - 40 mm

(d) Wind Speed - 100 Knots/hour (1 knot=1.9 km)

(e) Suitable
deicing/dewatering arrangements have been incorporated.

Secrecy

The entire network was
secured with the help of media secrecy equipment of highest security
grading. The secrecy was provided both
at bulk media levels of STM 4, STM 1, E3, E2 and E1 levels and individual
channel level of 64 Kbps and 16 Kbps for data and voice and satellite
media. All radio equipment would have
secure order wire.

The equipment catered for
the requirement of end-to-end BER of better than 10-6 for the
network as a whole to enable satisfactory working of terminal equipment
requiring this BER standard. There was
no degradation in communications with the insertion of secrecy equipment.

Network
Management System

The ASCON Network required
an elaborate Network Management System (NMS) to perform the functions of
overall management of the network and to monitor the health of the system and
its various components. All equipments
in the network were under the ambit of Umbrella NMS developed by M/s ITI except
the following where the native NMS of the equipment was used :-

(a) ATM
Sub-system.

(b) ISDN
sub-system.

ASCON Establishments

Four
ASCON Sub Groups were proposed to be raised, one each at Udhampur, Jalandhar,
Bhatinda and Jodhpur. Posting orders for
officers, JCOs ( Fof S) and NCOs/OR, who have been trained on ASCON equipment,
were issued and they were trained on ASCON equipment. These personnel were
positioned in existing Signal units which were in the vicinity of proposed sub
groups. They were employed for
installation of ASCON equipment alongwith ITI teams. They were re-posted to ASCON Sub Groups as
soon as they were raised.

Raising
of ASCON unit and HQ for manning, maintaining and management of ASCON Phase I
and II of the network was processed.
Raising orders for ASCON establishments were issued in November 1989 and
ASCON units were functional in 10, 11, 12 and 16 Corps with the personnel
specially trained at M/s ITI forming the nucleus. In addition to the four ASCON Sub Groups
raised at Jodhpur, Bhatinda, Jalandhar and Nagrota, 57 Signal Group and HQ Army
Network Communications were raised at
Chandimandir and Delhi respectively.

Network
Management Grant (NMG) for Rs 40 lakhs per annum was sanctioned by the
Govt. This grant was to be used for
carying out the maintenance of ASCON which, was not covered under Annual Maintenance
Contract (AMC) which had been entered into with Messrs ITI Ltd. The grant would be spent under the arrangement
of Commander HQ ANC, and would be suballotted to ASCON Sub Groups proportionately. The ASCON Mobile Node was under development
with Messrs Precision Electronics Ltd (PEL).
Two Add Drop MUXs were procured as trial equipment and were installed between
Delhi and Udhampur for deriving an overlay network between Delhi and Udhampur
EPABXs, by passing ASCON nodes. The
trials were successful and the circuits worked satisfactorily since 29 August
1998.

Training

The
officers and Junior Commissioned Officers who had been earmarked for ASCON
units, had undergone a three months training on the ASCON equipment at ITI
Bangalore and other factories. Training
of technician NCOs was conducted at ITI Bangalore. Selected officers (GD as well SL (TOT)), JCO
(F of S), TER, TES and EFS had undergone specialised training at manufacturers’
premises to engineer, maintain and manage the network. A Computer Based Training (CBT) Package based
on ‘Pluto’ language was developed by MCTE as part of SOPGE Project sponsored by
AWG. This package was capable of running
on a PC XT/AT. A training package based
on Turbo Pascal was under development at AWG.

ASCON
Training School at HQ ANC started functioning. Following cadres were conducted
:-

(a) ASCON
Basic course for - 27
Apr 91 to 11 May 91

Instructors of STC

(b) ASCON
course on communication - 24 Jun 91 to 03 Aug 91

Equipment (For ASCON Units/Sub Units

Not trained by M/s ITI).

Mobile ASCON Node

The
Mobile ASCON Node was envisaged to provide reduced functionality of communication
any ASCON node that could become a casually during war and thereby restore
emergency communications to nearby field formations. It was also to be used to
extend ASCON connectivity upto 30 Kms if situation so demanded. The mobile node was conceived to be based on
four vehicles, two for equipment, one for antenna and one for power. The antenna vehicle was to have a hydraulic
antenna mast which could be erected on the vehicle platform. The mobile node was to be capable of being
deployed at a suitable location and hooked to the nearest existing ASCON node
on a 8 MB UHF radio link. All the
elements of the Mobile ASCON Node could be deployed at a short notice.

The
Mobile ASCON Node was developed by M/s Precision Electronics Ltd, NOIDA. The project was completed. A demonstration was organised to show the
capabilities of Mobile ASCON Node to SO-in-C on 02 June 2000. Transmission of Wide Area Network(WAN) and
Video traffic along with existing voice was demonstrated using the Mobile ASCON
Node. Field trials of the Mobile Node
was organised.

Progress of Various Projects

OFC Routes. Twelve OFC routes were laid, as an upgrade
to ASCON Phase I, in Zones 1 to 4. These
were completed in August 2000 and Acceptance Inspection Test Procedure (AITP)
was completed in Jan 2001. These linked
some important Phase I nodes and provided additional laddering. Seven more OFC routes were similarly planed
for Zone 5. Price Negotiations Committee
(PNC) for these seven routes was completed in May 2001.

Overlay Network. An additional overlay network was created on
existing ASCON network, in September 2000, to all the Corps Headquarters,
except Headquarters 14 Corps. This
enabled extension of Army Intranet to all the Corps Headquarters.

Direct Dialing. Direct dialing facility from Army HQ EPABX
to Command EPABXs had been enhanced to 30 channels in Feb 2001. Direct dialing facility was engineered to the
Corps EPABXs, except HQ 14 Corps EPABX, from Army HQ EPABX in Feb 2001.

Army Strategic Operational
Information Dissemination System (ASTROIDS). The earlier ‘Modernisation of Ops Rooms’
Project was upgraded and renamed ASTROIDS.
High-speed Data (HSD) channels were to be provided on ASCON
backbone. Difficulties in engineering the
HSDs were overcome by using Bandwidth Manager (Mainstreet 3600 +) to derive
these channels on ASCON media.
Connectivity was provided to three Commands, four Corps, two alternate
locations and laterally amongst neighbouring Commands and Corps.

Rearward Connectivity. ASCON connectivity was provided to Mhow
EPABX ex Delhi Node in May 2001 and to Jabalpur EPABX ex Hissar Node in June
2001, on DOT hired 2 MB Media. This
connectivity would subsequently be reconfigured to provide direct dialing also
to these two EPABXs from Army HQ EPABX.

Mobile ASCON Node. The prototype of Mob ASCON Node (based on
Kolos Tatra) was subject to field trials in December 2000. It performed satisfactorily. Some improvements were suggested. These were incorporated in the eight Mob
ASCON Nodes procured in ASCON Ph 3.

Upgradation of ASCON Ph 1
Bulk Encryption Units (BEUs). A team of Indian Telephone Industries
Limited, commonly known as ITI Limited (ITI) conducted trials in March
2001. Cards and EPROMs needed for
upgradation were received in May 2001 from ITI.
572 Sub Group, ESG and ITI conducted confirmatory trials jointly.

Command and Control

Command
and control implies both authority and responsibility pertaining to a
formation, unit/sub and detachment as regards its operational, technical and
administrative functions. The same is
equally applicable to ASCON assets; be it manpower, equipment, network
availability or user and terminal facilities.
All these facets have a direct bearing with consequential effect on
efficient functioning, as also resource management and utilisation of the ASCON
architecture.

However,
as regards control of ASCON infrastructure and on ground utilisation of assets,
there were conflicting requirements, demand and obligations; different for
network engineering and maintenance and totally different for facilities
extension, utilisation and management with particular reference to its dynamic
responsiveness towards operational and administrative requirements of the
formation/installations being supported.

The
organization tree of ASCON is given below :

ORGANISATION
TREE : ASCON

Army
Headquarters

Ministry
of Defence

Army Network Chief Signal Officer Communication Commands/
Corps

ASCON
Working

Group

ASCON
Groups/ Sub Groups

Nagrota
- 591 Sub Group

Jalandhar

- 57
Signal Group

Chandimandir - 571 Sub Group

Ambala

Bhatinda
- 572 Sub Group

Suratgarh

Jodhpur
- 551 Sub Group

Delhi
- 500 (I) Signal Company

Jaipur

Role of ASCON Working Group
(AWG). The project was
conceptualized in the mid eighties. ASCON Working Group is the Project
Management Organisation for planning and implement of projects ASCON as also to
carry out all the activities related to projects ASCON including upgradation
and replacement of obsolete equipment in existing network, hiring of bulk
media, managing financial expenditure (both revenue and capital) related to
ASCON. ASCON Working Group was raised on 15 November 1985 as a Project
Management Organisation, to steer the project right from conceptualization to
the implement stage and thereafter carry out post contractual obligations. AWG, as the Project Management Organisation
for ASCON, had been performing the staff functions of Directorate General of
Signals on ASCON matters. The aim of establishing the network was to establish
a high capacity, reliable, flexible and secure backbone communication network
down to brigade and important military stations of Indian Army. A turnkey approach was therefore, adopted for
implementation of project ASCON in Phases based on availability of funds and
technical upgrades. ASCON Phase I, II
and III have been successfully implemented.

(d)Conclude Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC)
for various phases of ASCON and ASCON related projects with the vendors.

(e)Policy matters on employment of ASCON in
consultation with DGMO and DG Signals.

(f)Operational and technical control of mobile
nodes till implementation.

(g)All development projects which are required
to be progressed through Ministry of Defence (MoD)

(h)Specify network and interface protocols of
ASCON.

(i)Management/monitoring of funds related to
ASCON from capital/revenue budget of the Army.

(j)Correspondence/liaison with MoD/Army
Headquarters/DGIS/CIDSS/PMO AREN for integration with ASCON.

(k)Liaison with BSNL for hiring of bulk media
and planing of OFC projects.

(l)Formulation of policy on repair, maintenance
and replacement of ASCON equipments.

(m)Formulation of policy on sharing of ASCON
resources.

(n)Maintenance of all documents related to ASCON
projects.

(o)Origanise meeting of Steering Committee on
ASCON.

HQ Army Network Communication
(ANC). HQ ANC was
designed to carry out certain command and staff functions. These included technical control, training
and inspection of ASCON establishments as well as engineering, repairs,
maintenance and network management.
However, some issues pertaining to operational control also devolve on
ANC due to the network nature of the ASCON.

Responsibilities
of ANC are given below :-

(a) Efficient
functioning and optimal utilisation of ASCON and technical control of ASCON Phases

(b) Staff
functions of Directorate General of Signals for ASCON phases including policy matters
and employment of ASCON resources.

(c) Improvements
in ASCON phases network viz, development of software for effective management, updation of
media, switches and so on.

(d) Technical
control of all ASCON Groups/Sub Groups.

(e) Technical
and operational control of 500 (Independent) Signal Company.

(f) Technical
training of all ASCON units.

(g) Repair
and maintenance of all types of ASCON equipment, including monitoring of ANC and first level user
maintenance. It deals directly with ITI,
Bangalore.

(h) Operational
and technical control of mobile nodes on implementation.

(j) ASCON
AREN integration.

Role of ITI Limited

The
country’s premier telecom company, ITI Ltd, successfully accomplished the task
of developing Digital Voice and Data Integrated Communication System ASCON for
defence, thus helping the Indian Army modernise its communication
infrastructure.

The
job was executed by ITI Ltd as a total turnkey project using indigenous
technology. The system was designed
indigenously and implemented in record time.
The project involved site survey, system engineering, construction of
buildings and towers, network management, design and development, supply,
installation and commissioning of equipment over vast areas and varying terrain
besides training of personnel. Each and
every item of design was tailor made to the specific requirements of the Armed Forces. The entire system ran through vast deserts of
Rajasthan, fertile lands of Punjab and steep hills and valleys of the northern
frontier. A dedicated team comprising of
more than 200 ITI engineers toiled on this project and during the course of its
execution, two of them lost their lives in an unfortunate accident in
Rajasthan.

With
the commissioning of this system, ITI’s strength in telecommunications was well
proved. The company offered a wide range
of products and services which included switching transmission, network
systems, control systems, microelectronics and computers, subscriber and
equipments, data products, V-SAT and services.

CONCLUSION

The conventional
hierarchical communication systems in existence up to late eighties suffered
from numerous drawbacks. The salient
ones being lack of flexibility, low capacity, low speed and manpower intensive
being operator assisted. ASCON was
conceived in early eighties as a strategic and theatre area communication
network ultimately to form a sub continental network of the Army. The project was planned to be implemented in
phases and to be upgraded periodically with the state-of-the-art commercially
available equipment.

ASCON Phase I. This project was implementation by M/s ITI
Limited as a turnkey project at a cost of Rs 101.99 Cr and the contract was
signed on 14 February 1987. The Phase I
network covered our Western border extending from Rajouri (J&K) in the
North to Barmer (Rajasthan) in the South.
This belt covered 1500 kilometers long and of varied terrain. The network was a two-tier network consisting
of 43 full-fledged communication nodes and 21 repeater stations. The media connectivity between the
communication nodes was on Army owned microwave radio. A total of 23 radio links were engineered
using 2 GHz narrow band digital microwave radio to provide 8 Mbps links. The project was formally handed over to the
Army in August 1995.

ASCON Phase II. After successful implementation of ASCON
Phase-I, the Phase-II of the project, which envisaged extension of the network
to the hinterland, was undertaken. Since
DoT infrastructure was available for this purpose, this connectivity was
planned on DoT hired bulk media primarily based on OFC. To maintain the grid/mesh architecture, a
total of four additional nodes including one at Delhi were planned. The Phase of the project gave rearward
integration of the network to Headquarters Western Command at Chandimandir and
Army Headquarters at Delhi. The project
was contracted to M/s ITI Ltd at a cost of Rs. 18.15 crores and the four nodes
were fully established and commissioned in November 1997.

ASCON Phase III. As is evident ASCON Phase I and Phase II
addressed only the Western borders, therefore the ASCON Phase III was planned to
further extend the backbone connectivity to the Eastern Command, Northern
Command (14 and 15 Corps Zone) and important location in Central Command. A
need to embrace latest switching technology was felt and hence ASCON Phase III
was based on ATM switching (prevailing state of art technology). Certain other
improvements were laying of about 3700 kms of OFC, connecting ASCON nodes in
Western, Southern and South Western Command, introducing DAMA based ASCON
satellite nodes at 22 stations, establish 34 Mbps Microwave (MW) radio as
standby communication as well as to extended the reach of network where OFC
could not be laid especially in Eastern and Northern Command. For the first
time concept of mobile ASCON nodes was introduced wherein eight mobile nodes
based on 8 x 8 HMV(Tatra) were procured with capability to provide ASCON communication
on Microwave (MW) media. ASCON Phase II was contracted to M/s ITI Ltd at a cost
of Rs. 272.21 crores and was commissioned in December 2007.

ASCON
was a shining example of Made in India project much ahead of its time. It
showed how the Government, Armed Forces, industry, Defence Public Sector
Undertaking, Government agencies (Department of Telecommunications) could get together
to design completely indigenous, sophisticated, State of art Communications
network and implement the project across
varied terrains in most inhospitable areas in record time.

Project
ASCON continues to expand providing much needed communication support to the
remotest areas of the country. This was made possible by the vision and
conceptualization of the project by some of the pioneers of Corps of Signals.